Betting on the Demise of Free Trade? Make Way for the New Players at the Table – The Diplomat

The world is facing a rapidly shifting trade landscape, with the U.S. focusing on tariffs to address trade imbalances, while a transformative trade movement is unfolding in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Developing countries in APAC, led by ASEAN nations, are actively pursuing free trade agreements with partners in Europe and the Middle East to hedge against potential U.S. tariffs. This proactive approach has led to increased engagement with BRICS, negotiations for FTAs with the EU, GCC, and Canada, and a push to deepen trade partnerships in the region, signaling a shift in global trade dynamics.

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